Why Dogs Eat Grass

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I often wonder if I could love anything as much as a dog loves food. They show a particular zeal for any type of treat, be it meat, grains, or plants. Some people affectionately refer to their furry companions as trash compactors because of how they can wolf down seemingly endless amounts of food.

Anyone who’s ever owned a dog knows their pet’s penchant for eating is not confined to conventional food. Take grass, for example. It seems like a mainstay of many dog diets as they go out of their way to chomp down on handfuls of grass. But why? Watch the video above, and then we will break down the topic further.

Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?

It’s a simple question with a complicated answer. Dogs eat grass all the time, but the reasons why are varied. Technically, eating non-food is known as Pica, a behavior condition associated with compulsive eating of non-food items to compensate for nutrient, vitamin, or mineral deficiencies. Most dogs are fed a nutrient-rich diet, so grass-eating should not factor into the equation. Yet it still does, and some dogs can’t seem to get enough.

When dogs eat grass, their owners typically assume it helps them with stomach or digestion issues. Often, dogs eat a massive helping of grass before vomiting shortly afterward. This poses a chicken vs. egg dilemma. Do dogs eat grass and vomit to help relieve their stomachs, or does eating grass give dogs stomachaches and cause them to vomit?

According to studies by VCA Animal Hospitals, less than 25% of dogs vomit after eating grass, while 10% of dogs show no sign of illness before eating grass. The plot thickens, because why would a dog need to eat grass if they show no sign of illness before or after chowing down?

Normal Grass Eating

Your dog may be a voracious grass eater, but the behavior isn’t necessarily abnormal. Dogs require more roughage in their diets than other animals. Without it, a dog’s ability to easily digest food and pass waste becomes difficult. Since grass provides a good source of fiber, your dog might be making a meal of your lawn because it craves more fiber in its diet, which helps their bodily functions run smoothly.

Most dogs subside on a diet of kibble and bits, but their ancestors had a far more natural diet. In the wild, dogs eat what they hunt. This includes every part of an animal including meat, bones, and internal organs like the stomach. Typically, the stomach of its prey will include a large selection of plants and grasses, which give dogs the fiber they need.

One study mentioned by WebMD confirms this notion. According to the findings, a miniature poodle ate grass and vomited every single day for seven years. Within three days of being put on a more fiber-rich diet plan, the miniature poodle stopped eating grass completely.

Living up to their “trash compactor” reputation, dogs eat what they can. They aren’t true carnivores or omnivores, but more akin to scavengers. They will eat anything that helps satisfy their dietary requirements. According to a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, stool samples taken from wolves (dogs’ ancestors) show that 11%-47% eat grass. Perhaps this behavior is reflected in the modern dog. Thanks to their cozying up to humans thousands of years ago, dogs do not need to do much hunting. That scavenger instinct remains, however, suggesting that dogs eat grass as a reflection of their ancient impulses.

Abnormal Grass Eating

It’s one thing if your dog eats grass on occasion while enjoying a regular walk. It’s another, however, if your dog is prone to worry or separation anxiety. For dogs that are left alone for long periods of time, grass-eating may be a sign of anxiety. Since dogs crave interaction with humans, they will sometimes exhibit inappropriate behavior if they feel neglected. It’s not the best way to do it, but it’s a surefire way to get their owner’s attention. Other more anxious dogs may eat grass as a self-soothing behavior. In the same way that people compulsively chew their nails, dogs will chew items to find comfort.

When dogs are lonely or feel neglected, they might increase their grass-eating behavior. Many dog owners may have realized their dog’s grass-eating increases the longer they are away from their pet. That said, grass-eating dogs might just be bored. If they have a big yard to play in but not much quality time with their owner, a dog might chew grass to pass the time.

Almost all dogs respond well to stimulation. If your dog is compulsively eating grass, give them a chew toy or an unwanted household item. A new toy will provide novelty and enjoyment and keep your dog’s mind off its anxiety. An old household item, like one of your t-shirts, will give your dog a familiar scent that it craves and may help pass the time when you are gone. If you give your dog plenty of walks and activities that wear them out, but they still eat a lot of grass, find a puzzle toy containing food. These toys provide great stimulation for dogs and give them a reprieve from boredom. Your lawn will thank you.

Dangers of Eating Grass

Grass is everywhere, and plenty of dogs indulge in eating it, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe for them to eat. With the advent of herbicides and pesticides, many patches of grass contain dangerous chemicals that are toxic to any stomach that digests them. One school of thought suggests that dogs eat grass to clear their tummies of parasites. As the thinking goes, the fibrous, reedy grass can help pull parasites off the stomach lining and flush them out with waste.

With the widespread use of pesticides, however, your dog may be munching grass to relieve stomach issues only to have those issues magnified by the introduction of a toxic chemical. To make matters worse, grass often contains parasites. This means your dog’s grass-eating may be introducing new foreign elements into its body that will only make it sicker.

At the risk of sounding dramatic, there’s a host of common plants and vegetation spreads in your area that are toxic, if not outright dangerous, for your dog. Cocoa mulch, a commonly used mulch known for its chocolate-rich color, is harmful to dogs when ingested. Its cocoa bean shells and various chemical ingredients can cause serious harm or even death for dogs. These dangers encompass other fertilizers. They may work wonders for your garden, but even trace amounts of these fertilizers can cause serious injury to dogs.

There are plenty of other plants that are dangerous or fatal to dogs when ingested. These include flowers like daffodils, tulips, azaleas, oleanders, and sago palms. If you suspect your dog has eaten any of these plants or fertilizers and are showing signs of injury, take them to a vet immediately.

The Final Bite

With the scary part out of the way, it’s important to remember that dog grass-eating behavior is pretty normal in the grand scheme of things. Putting all the scientific reasons aside, dogs might just like eating grass and like how the texture of it feels in their mouth. This rings especially true in the springtime when grass grows and smells fresh.

Most vets don’t consider it a problem unless all that grass is causing dogs persistent stomach or digestive issues. If you really want to curb your dog’s grass-eating behavior, use some reinforcement training methods like offering a treat or providing distraction instead. For dogs that respond well to verbal commands, a simple “heel” command may stop your dog from chowing down on the neighborhood lawns.